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Shepard, Sara
28 Reviews
(4)
YA
Amateurs series.
The young sleuths from The Amateurs--Seneca, Maddox, Madison, and Aerin--reunite to bring closure to the murders of their loved ones by following clues left for them by an elusive serial killer. With minimal character development and superfluous romantic subplots, the appeal of this contemporary crime novel is a twisty plot driven by the murderer's cat-and-mouse game with the teenage detectives.
Reviewer: Lana Barnes
(3)
YA
Aerin's older sister went missing five years ago. Her body was recovered, but without any conclusive evidence, the case is cold. Desperate for answers, Aerin reaches out on "Case Not Closed," an online forum, and some young sleuths, including eighteen-year-old Seneca, pick up her case. Shepard's new series is exciting, twisty, and--like some of her others--chock-full of wealthy teens misbehaving.
Reviewer: Sian Gaetano
(3)
YA
Perfectionists series.
Five high-school seniors are suspects after a string of murders and accidents happen exactly as they had discussed. As the girls reveal details and secrets about their lives, it seems that any of them could be the killer. A huge plot twist will send readers back to see what clues they missed. This fast-paced sequel to The Perfectionists can stand alone.
Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor
(3)
YA
When popular Nolan winds up dead at his own party, five girls who were seeking revenge on him become the prime suspects. Proving their innocence will be hard, as will uncovering the true killer--Nolan, described as a dictator and bully, had many enemies. Shepard employs her familiar mix of mystery, secrets, deceit, and suspense in this new series.
Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor
(4)
YA
Pretty Little Liars series.
In the final installment--really this time--of the long-running series, the PLLs face murder charges for killing (still-alive) Alison. Each girl makes impulsive choices during their trial, from running away to getting married. Though the story is resolved with more of a whimper than fans might expect, this is still a nicely plotted, fitting goodbye to Spencer, Aria, Emily, and Hanna.
Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith
(4)
YA
Pretty Little Liars series.
After the drama of the previous installment, Deadly, this book is a bit of a letdown. The four PLLs experience significant personal and professional successes (Aria, for example, sells a painting for a fortune), but, of course, A is prepared to ruin everything. While fans might guess what's next, a few surprises--and the usual cliffhanger--will keep them coming back for more.
Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith
(4)
YA
Pretty Little Liars series.
Ghost Sutton watches as her twin Emma uncovers secrets about her family in this fifth Lying Game novel. Their mentally ill birth mother, Becky, has reappeared--and could be dangerous. Did she kill Sutton? (Hint: There will be a sequel.) Though series fans might find the plot arc too familiar, they'll be sucked back in by the characteristically shocking ending.
Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith
(3)
YA
Pretty Little Liars series.
This fifteenth PLL installment finally brings the suspense and action missing from many of its predecessors, as "A" makes good on some threats. Spencer, Aria, Hanna, and Emily try to figure out A's identity (or identities) while dodging a private investigator. As usual, Shepard capably answers some questions (like what Aria did in Iceland) while tantalizingly creating others, keeping readers hooked.
Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith
(4)
YA
Pretty Little Liars series.
In their sixteenth book, the PLLs confess that Ali is still stalking them, and they're given round-the-clock security. But as usual, A is one step ahead--and the girls are arrested for murder. The plot arc will be familiar to long-time fans (any new readers will be baffled), but Shepard delivers another suspenseful ending--and reveals another big secret.
Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith
(4)
YA
Lying Game series.
Ghost Sutton watches as her twin Emma uncovers secrets about her family in this fifth Lying Game novel. Their mentally ill birth mother, Becky, has reappeared--and could be dangerous. Did she kill Sutton? (Hint: There will be a sequel.) Though series fans might find the plot arc too familiar, they'll be sucked back in by the characteristically shocking ending.
Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith
(3)
YA
Lying Game series.
With Sutton's ghost watching, Emma investigates Garrett, Sutton's ex, suspecting he's her sister's murderer--even when Sutton's body is found and everyone thinks Emma's the culprit. Once the real killer is revealed, fans won't be able to stop reading (even if they, unlike naive Emma, saw it coming). This sixth (superior) installment is an engrossing and satisfying climax to the series.
Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith
(4)
YA
Pretty Little Liars series.
This collection takes place between the fourth and fifth books of the long-running series (making anachronisms, like iPads, perplexing). Each of the four stories chronicles a Pretty Little Liar's misdeeds over junior-year winter break; three revolve around guys. There's no suspense or mystery, but fans awaiting the next installment will enjoy delving further into the minds of these well-established characters.
Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith
(4)
YA
Lying Game series.
This third Lying Game novel implicates bad-boy Thayer as Sutton's murderer. He's mysteriously back in town, and Emma--and ghost Sutton--worry that he's planning to hurt her. But savvy readers will know early on that Thayer's not the culprit, and without any threats from the real killer to offer chills, the book's only draw is Emma's developing relationship with Ethan.
Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith
(4)
YA
Pretty Little Liars series.
In Burned, the four friends set sail on a Caribbean cruise ship--with A aboard to torment them. Lies, a prequel, is told from the perspective of Courtney, the twin who stole Real Ali's identity. Hooked readers will need encyclopedic knowledge of the vast, long-running series to keep the PLL's misdeeds straight, but Shepard--again--leaves them wanting more. Review covers these Pretty Little Liars titles: Ali's Pretty Little Lies and Burned.
Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith
(4)
YA
Pretty Little Liars series.
All the Pretty Little Liars continue to be terrorized and manipulated by "A," but Emily, who secretly gave up a baby for adoption, has the most to lose. The girls suspect, therefore, that their stalker is a woman who wanted Emily's baby. This twelfth installment answers few questions, but it's characteristically well paced and still contains some surprises (like a cross-dressing dad).
Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith
(4)
YA
Lying Game series.
As her twin Sutton's ghost looks on, Emma continues living Sutton's life and looking for her murderer. After clearing her sister's friends, Emma now suspects members of Sutton's adoptive family. Disappointingly, the suspects are clearly red herrings, and the real killer doesn't pursue Emma. But a whopper of a secret, revealed at the end, makes this fourth series entry worthwhile.
Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith
(4)
YA
Pretty Little Liars series.
Aria, Spencer, Hanna, and Emily are back and hiding a secret from a spring break trip. Of course, an all-knowing (different?) "A" threatens to expose them. Twisted focuses on the PLL's crime, while Ruthless identifies a possible "A." The twists are familiar--it's now expected that nothing is as it appears--but Shepard still delivers conclusions that makes readers want more. Review covers these Pretty Little Liars titles: Ruthless and Twisted.
Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith
(4)
YA
Pretty Little Liars series.
Aria, Spencer, Hanna, and Emily are back and hiding a secret from a spring break trip. Of course, an all-knowing (different?) "A" threatens to expose them. Twisted focuses on the PLL's crime, while Ruthless identifies a possible "A." The twists are familiar--it's now expected that nothing is as it appears--but Shepard still delivers conclusions that makes readers want more. Review covers these Pretty Little Liars titles: Ruthless and Twisted.
Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith
(4)
YA
Lying Game series.
Emma is still impersonating her deceased twin Sutton (The Lying Game)--and also trying to identify her murderer. As ghost Sutton looks on, Emma becomes increasingly suspicious of a set of ditzy twins in their group. The book is well-paced and suspenseful, but with few revelations about the day of Sutton's death, it serves only to introduce the next series entry.
Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith
(3)
YA
Pretty Little Liars series.
Readers say goodbye to the PLLs in these final books of the series. In Heartless, Spencer, Aria, Hanna, and Emily find clues about Ali in Amish country, a mental hospital, and séances, while Wanted introduces the final, crucial plot twist. Some questions may remain, but the central mysteries surrounding A's identity and Ali's murder are resolved in a dramatic, gratifying conclusion. Review covers these Pretty Little Liars titles: Heartless and Wanted.
Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith
28 reviews
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